Benefits of Quitting Smoking within 20 minutes of quitting blood pressure and pulse rate drop to normal body temperature of extremities (hands/feet) increases to normal within 8 hours of quitting carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal oxygen level in blood increases to normal within 24 hours of quitting risk of sudden heart attack decreases within 2 weeks and 3 months of quitting circulation improves walking becomes easier lung function inceases to 30% within 1 to 9 months of quitting overall energy typically increases symptoms associated with chronic use decreases (coughing, nasal congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath) cilia (fine hair-like projections lining the lower respiratory tract) function begins to return to normal, which increaseds the body's ability to handle mucus, clean the respiratory tract, and reduce respiratory infections. with 1 year of quitting excess risk of coronary hear disease is half that of a tobacco user within 5 years of quitting lung cancer death rate (for average 1 pack/day former smoker) decreases by nearly 50% within 10 years of quitting lung cancer death rate becomes similar to that of a nontobacco user precancerous cells are replaced with normal cell growth risk of stroke is typically lowered, possibly to that of a nontobacco user risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidnesy, and panceas decreases. within 15 years of quitting risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker